Forensic features of a fatal Datura poisoning case during a robbery

Garff, Erwan Le; Delannoy, Yann; Mesli, Vadim; Hédouin, V.; Tournel, Gilles

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.028

Cited by 32 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…For this reason, the dilution of the samples was increased (1 : 100) and a considerable improvement in both reproducibility and sensitivity was obtained. Beverage samples only cause physiological effects if adulterated with higher concentrations than the therapeutic dose (around 180 μmol L −1 ) , and therefore, such dilution would not impair the applicability of the proposed method. Figure shows SWV scans obtained for the selected beverage sample solutions before (‐ ‐ ‐) and after (—) spiking with 6 μmol L −1 SCP.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrochemical Portable Method for on site Screening of Scopolamine in Beverage and Urine Samples

et al. 2018

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Scopolamine (SCP) is a psychoactive drug often added to beverages for recreational or abuse purposes (loss of memory and non‐consensual practices). In this work, a simple and portable method for fast in field screening of SCP in beverage (beer, coke, energy drink, sugarcane spirit, vodka, and whisky) and urine samples is presented. The proposed method is based on batch injection analysis with square wave voltammetric (BIA‐SWV) detection using boron‐doped diamond (BDD) as the working electrode. A voltammetric profile with accurate information on the presence or absence of SCP is obtained using a small sample volume (∼50 μL) and a simple sample pretreatment step (dilution in supporting electrolyte). Around two hundred analyses are possible using the proposed system (injection of single sample plug – 120 μL) without the need of electrodes handling or supporting electrolyte exchange (friendly to point‐of‐care or on site screenings). The quantification of SCP in beverages is also possible using the proposed portable protocol, with a limit of detection of 0.18 μmol L−1 and recovery values between 87 to 113 %.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, Le Garff et al. described a case of a fatal Datura poisoning during a robbery. The victim's death was attributed to disordered heart rhythm due to severe anticholinergic syndrome.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Portable Method for on site Screening of Scopolamine in Beverage and Urine Samples

et al. 2018

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“…Patients with Datura poisoning usually recover soon, with short duration of hospitalization [4,5,11]. Despite benign nature of Datura poisoning in most cases, reports of fatalities [12], coma [7], seizure [7], rhabdomyolysis [13] and impairment of liver function tests [14] are also available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Datura poisoning, clinical and laboratory findings. Report of five cases

Arefi¹,

Barzegari²,

Asgari³

et al. 2016

RJLM

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Introduction. Plants of Datura species contain belladonna alkaloids that can cause central and peripheral anticholinergic effects. Abuse of Datura plants for their hallucinogenic effects is growing among adolescents and young adults. Datura poisoning has caused a diagnostic challenge in medical emergency wards. In this article we report 5 cases of Datura toxicity at Clinical Toxicology Emergency of Baharloo Hospital, Tehran, Iran during Summer-Fall 2015, and discuss their clinical presentations and laboratory findings. Cases. All 5 cases with Datura toxicity were young males and had intentionally used the plants. Mean duration of hospitalization was 3.2 days. Three cases were multiple-drug abusers. Mydriasis, tachycardia, tachypnea and flushing alongside with psychotic-like signs and symptoms were observed in all cases. Elevation of liver enzymes was present in three of cases but without clinical significance. Raised LDH or CPK in four patients were without myoglobinuria and evidence of rhabdomyolysis and these biomarkers returned to normal levels by supportive care. All patients discharged with complete recovery and there was no need to ICU admission. Discussion. With the absence of routine laboratory diagnostic tests for alkaloids and complex and confusing presentations of Datura intoxication, diagnosis of such cases is difficult. Physicians' clinical suspicion and sufficient knowledge play the mainstay roles in appropriate and timely diagnosis and management of cases with Datura toxicity. Since regulatory legislation wouldn't be successful in halting the availability of natural plants, the best strategy to prevent Datura abuse is informing people about the adverse effects of these plants.

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“…Besides accidental ingestion and wrongful use of traditional herbal medicines, intoxication with Datura extracts occurred most frequently when they were abused for hallucinogenic effects [20,62], or due to crime-related poisoning [39,40] (Table 1).…”

Section: Brugmansia and Datura Poisonings In Asia And Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several cases of intoxication by ingestion of various parts of Brugmansia and Datura species have been reported [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Symptoms of intoxication include dilated pupils, confusion, hallucinations, dryness of skin and mucous membranes, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and increased body temperature [11,36,[42][43][44].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worldwide poisoning potential of Brugmansia and Datura

Kerchner

Farkas

2019

Forensic Toxicol

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Purpose The toxicological significance of human exposures to angel's trumpet plants (Brugmansia and Datura species) in their native American and non-native regions (Asia, Africa, and Europe) was highlighted, and the poisoning potential of various plant parts was discussed. Methods Nearly 2500 cases of human plant exposures, reported to the Hungarian Toxicological Information Service between 2005 and 2017, were analyzed and compared to data of other toxicology centers in America, Asia and Europe, focusing on exposures to tropane alkaloid-containing plants. Results In America, Brugmansia and Datura were not among the 15 most common plant ingestions, but were responsible for 20% of the fatal outcomes in a 26-year period. In Asia, the anticholinergic toxidrome, related to Brugmansia and Datura, was among the most frequent plant-related intoxications, which included accidental ingestion, improper use of herbal medicines and plant abuse. In Europe, Brugmansia and Datura were among the top four plant taxa causing intoxications with major outcomes, being the leading plants ingested for their hallucinogenic properties, and accounted for 60% of abuse cases in Hungary in a 13-year period. Use of Brugmansia and Datura for criminal purposes has been reported from America, Asia and Europe. The concentrations of tropane alkaloids vary with the species, seasons and plant parts. Ingestion of the seeds and flowers has the highest toxicological significance, but exposure to the leaves and floral nectar can also cause intoxication. Conclusions Angel's trumpets have high toxicological significance both in their native and non-native regions, mainly due to their hallucinogenic property and accidental ingestion.

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Forensic features of a fatal Datura poisoning case during a robbery

Cited by 32 publications

References 26 publications

Electrochemical Portable Method for on site Screening of Scopolamine in Beverage and Urine Samples

Electrochemical Portable Method for on site Screening of Scopolamine in Beverage and Urine Samples

Datura poisoning, clinical and laboratory findings. Report of five cases

Worldwide poisoning potential of Brugmansia and Datura

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